[March 18, 2014]DETROIT (Reuters) — Volkswagen AG <VOWG_p.DE><VLKAY.PK> said it is recalling
about 160,351 Passat sedans in the United States and
Canada because a low-beam headlight could become
inoperable.

VW said it is possible on Passat cars from model years
2012 and 2013 that in instances where the hood is closed
roughly or dropped from a certain height the resulting
vibration or impact can cause a low-beam headlight
bulb's connector to lose electrical contact. Losing the
light could lead to reduced visibility, the company
said.

The German automaker said a warning light in the
instrument panel will immediately alert the driver if that
happens. VW said there have been no reports of accidents or
injuries related to the issue.

VW said it will notify owners to take the car to a dealer, where
an improved bulb fitting will be installed free of charge.
Additionally, the hood bumpers will be inspected and adjusted or
replaced as needed to prevent the hood from contacting the
headlight assembly.

Affected are about 150,201 cars sold in the United States and
about 10,150 in Canada, VW said.

The company added that the Tennessee-built Passat is sold in
other countries, but figures for the number of cars affected
outside of North America were not immediately available.